Support Assembly for Building Structures

ABSTRACT

A support assembly for use with building structures, the support assembly having a main axis when in an assembled configuration. The support assembly includes: a mounting body for receiving or carrying a section of the building structure; a base which in use is arranged to be located on a supporting surface, the base having a main body having opposed ends, each end having a leg extending therefrom; a connector operatively interconnecting the mounting body and the base when in the assembled configuration; and an adjustment arrangement operable to cause relative movement between the mounting body and the base towards or away from one another in the direction of the main axis.

I. TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to support assemblies for use inbuilding structures and more particularly, though not exclusively, tofloor structures such as, for example, patios, decks, walkways and thelike.

II. BACKGROUND ART

Decking substructures generally comprise posts, bearers and joists whichare built up to the desired height of the deck. In some cases, timberposts are replaced with steel stirrups which can be bolted on to aconcrete pad or anchored into the concrete pad before the concrete hasset. Such arrangements provide reasonable heavy duty solid foundationsfor the timber or steel bearers to attach to. However, a disadvantage ofdevices of this type is that they do not have any adjustability. Thiscan be a problem on uneven terrain or especially if the structure is tobe built over an existing concrete area that has height variance.Australian patent specification No. 2014100056 describes a bearersupport which is adjustable. The present disclosure provides a furtherimprovement over the known prior art.

III. SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

In a first aspect, embodiments are disclosed of a support assembly foruse with building structures, the support assembly having a main axiswhen in an assembled configuration, the support assembly comprising: amounting body for receiving or carrying a section of the buildingstructure; a base which in use is arranged to be located on a supportingsurface, the base comprising a main body having opposed ends, each endhaving a leg extending therefrom; a connector operativelyinterconnecting the mounting body and the base when in the assembledconfiguration; and an adjustment arrangement operable to cause relativemovement between the mounting body and the base towards or away from oneanother in the direction of the main axis.

In use, and when in the assembled configuration the support assembly isdisposed on the support surface with the main axis in a generallyupright or substantially vertical orientation with respect to thesupport surface on which it is disposed. The arrangement is such thatthe mounting member, the connector and the base are positioned one abovethe other in the direction of the main axis.

In certain embodiments, the legs are inclined away from one another in adirection away from the main body. In certain embodiments, the basefurther includes a foot at an end of each leg remote from the main body.In certain embodiments, the main body comprises a substantially flatbridging member. In use, the bridging member is disposed generallyhorizontally.

In certain embodiments, the connector comprises a connecting rod, oneend of the connecting rod being operatively connected to the mountingbody, the connecting rod further being operatively connected to the baseso as to be movable relative thereto in the direction of the main axiswhen in the assembled configuration.

In certain embodiments, the mounting body comprises a bracket having asection providing for a bearing seat. In certain embodiments, thebracket comprises an L-shaped member having a first arm which providesfor the bearing seat and a second arm.

In certain embodiments, there is provided an attachment on the first armfor connecting the connector to the mounting body. In certainembodiments, the attachment comprises a threaded aperture. In certainembodiments, the attachment comprises a protuberance or projectingelement secured to one side of the aforementioned one arm. In certainembodiments, the adjustment arrangement comprises a thread on at leastpart of the connecting rod and a coupling on the base, the couplingcomprising a threaded aperture which is complementary to the thread onthe connecting rod whereby relative rotation between the connecting rodand the coupling causes movement between the coupling and the connectingrod in the direction of the main axis.

In certain embodiments, the connector is releasably connectable to boththe base and the mounting body.

In a second aspect, embodiments are disclosed of a support assembly foruse with building structures, the support assembly having a main axiswhen in an assembled configuration, the support assembly comprising: amounting body for receiving or carrying a section of the buildingstructure; a base which in use is arranged to be located on a supportingsurface; a connector operatively interconnecting the mounting body andthe base when in the assembled configuration; and an adjustmentarrangement operable to cause relative movement between the mountingbody and the base towards or away from one another in the direction ofthe main axis, wherein the connector is releasably connectable to boththe base and the mounting body.

In certain embodiments, the support assembly is in one of the formsdescribed above.

In a third aspect, embodiments are disclosed of a method of installing asupport assembly on a supporting surface, the support assembly being asdescribed in one of the forms above, the method including the steps of:locating the base on the supporting surface and securing it thereto; andactivating the adjustment arrangement so that the mounting body is at adesired position above the supporting surface.

IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of themethod and apparatus set forth in the summary specific embodiments ofthe method and apparatus will now be described by way of example andwith reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of a support assembly according toone embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the support assembly shown in FIG. 1; and,

FIGS. 3 and 4 are isometric views of the support assembly shown in FIGS.1 and 2 with the components in different positions with respect to oneanother.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of how a plurality of support assemblies,in disassembled form, may be packaged together.

V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a support assembly,generally indicated as 10, which comprises a mounting body 20, a base 40and a connector 60 which can be operatively connected together in anassembled configuration. As shown in FIG. 3, the support assembly 10 hasa main axis X-X. When in use, the support assembly 10 is positioned on asupport surface which may for example be the ground, a concrete pad orany other structure on which the support assembly 10 can be positioned.In use, the main axis X-X is arranged in a substantially upright orvertical orientation.

The mounting body 20 in the form shown comprises a bracket 21. Thebracket 21 illustrated is L-shaped comprising a first arm 22 and asecond arm 34. The first arm 22 has an upper side 24 and underside 25,the upper side 24 forming a bearing seat 23 for a bearer or joist of abuilding structure. FIG. 3 illustrates schematically a bearer 90 on thebracket 21. Apertures 38 in the second arm 34 are adapted to receivefixing elements such as bolts for attaching the bearer 90 to the bracket21. An attachment 30 is arranged on the underside 25 of the first arm22. The attachment 30 is in the form of an aperture 31 which is threadedfor reasons which will become apparent. The attachment 30 comprises aprotuberance or projecting element which, in the form shown, comprises anut 33 which is secured to the underside 25 of the first arm 22. Thismay be effected by welding or some other technique. The underside 25 ofthe first arm 22 has a surface, which is generally horizontally disposedwhen in use.

The support assembly 10 further includes a base 40 which comprises amain body 41 having opposed ends 35 and 36. The main body 41 is in theform of a generally flat bridging member 42 having a top side 43 and abottom side 44. The surface of at least the bottom side 44 issubstantially flat and when assembled parallel to the underside surfaceof first arm 22 of the bracket 21. The base 40 further includes legs 45and 46 which extend from respective ends 35 and 36 of the base 40. Asshown, the legs 45 and 46 are inclined away from one another in thedirection away from the main body 41. That is the legs 45 and 46 aresplayed with respect to one another. Each leg 45 and 46 has a footmember 51 and 52 at the ends 47 and 48 thereof. The foot members 51 and52 are in the form of flanges. The flanges are adapted to be attached tothe supporting surface on which the base 40 rests and have apertures 54therein for receiving bolts or other anchoring elements for securing thebase 40 to the supporting surface. The base 40 is in the form of a onepiece structure which may be formed from metal such as steel which maybe galvanised. The base may be formed using a press forming process. Asshown the base 40 is arch like in configuration.

The support assembly 10 further includes a connector 60 in the form of aconnecting rod 61 having opposed ends 62 and 63 with a rod axis Y-Yextending between the ends. In use, the connecting rod 61 is generallyupright with its axis Y-Y substantially coaxial or parallel with themain axis X-X of the support assembly 10.

The support assembly 10 further includes an adjustment arrangement 70for providing relative movement between the mounting body 20 and thebase 40. The adjustment arrangement 70 comprises a thread 71 on theconnecting rod 61 which is adapted to cooperate with a coupling 72 onthe base 40. The coupling 72 comprises a threaded aperture 73, thethread of which is complementary with the thread on the connecting rod61. The coupling 72 is in the form of a nut 75 which is fixed to thebottom side 44 of the base 40. This may be effected by welding or someother technique. A locking element 78 in the form of a nut 79 isreceived on the connecting rod 61 between the mounting body 20 and thebase 40.

The coupling 72, which in the form shown is an internally threaded nut75, is secured to the bottom side 44 of the bridging member 42 and isaligned with an aperture in the bridging member 42. The bridging member42 and the nut 33 of the mounting body 20, are such that their aperturesare coaxial with the main axis X-X and the connecting rod axis Y-Y whenin the assembled configuration.

To assemble the support assembly 10, one end 62 of the connecting rod 61is secured into threaded aperture 31 of the nut 33 secured to themounting body 20 so as to connect the two parts together. The other end63 of the connecting rod 61 is threadably connected to coupling 72 onthe bridging member 42 of the base 40. Relative rotation between theconnecting rod 61 and the coupling 72 causes axial movement ofconnecting rod 61 relative to the base 40, thereby facilitating movementof mounting body 20 towards or away from the base 40. Thus, the heightof the mounting body 20 above the supporting surface upon which thesupport assembly 10 is positioned can be varied. Once the desiredposition of the mounting body 20 is achieved, the nut 79 is positionedagainst the surface of the top side 43 of the bridging member 42 toinhibit undesired movement between the parts. As is apparent, the loadapplied by the structure 90 is translated axially in the direction ofthe main axis X-X and rod axis Y-Y from the mounting body 20 to the base40.

The structure of the base in the embodiment illustrated permitsformation from relatively light weight material whilst still being ableto support typical load bearing structures such as the components of adecking sub-structure, for example. The provision of the two nuts 33 and75 ensure proper alignment with the threaded connecting rod 61.

As the three main components of the support assembly 10 are releasablyinterconnectable with one another, the support assembly 10 can besupplied in kit form enabling efficient packaging and transport. FIG. 5illustrates an example of how the disassembled form of the supportassembly permits a plurality of support assemblies to be efficientlypackaged together (to provide space saving/transport advantages).Furthermore, the releasable attachment of the three main componentsmeans that connecting rods 61 of different lengths can be supplied andused for different applications.

In the forgoing description of embodiments, specific terminology hasbeen resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is notintended to be limited to specific terms so selected, and it is to beunderstood that each specific term includes all technical equivalentswhich operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technicalpurpose. Terms such as “front” and “rear”, “inner” and “outer”, “above”,“below”, “upper” and lower” and the like are used as words ofconvenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed aslimiting terms.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (orinformation derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not,and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or admission or any formof suggestions that prior publication (or information derived from it)or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the fieldof endeavour to which this specification relates.

In this specification the word “comprising” is to be understood in its“open” sense, that is, in the sense of “including”, and thus not limitedto its “closed” sense, that is the sense of “consisting only of”. Acorresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words“comprise”, “comprised” and “comprises” where they appear.

In addition, the foregoing describes only some embodiments of theinvention(s), and alterations, modifications, addition and/or changescan be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of thedisclosed embodiments, the embodiments being illustrative and notrestrictive.

Furthermore, invention(s) have been described in connection with whatare presently considered to be the most practical and preferredembodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not the belimited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intendedto cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements includedwithin the spirit and scope of the invention(s). Also, the variousembodiments described above may be implemented in conjunction with otherembodiments, e.g. aspects of one embodiment may be combined with aspectsof another embodiment to realise yet other embodiments. Further, eachindependent feature or component of any given assembly may contribute anadditional embodiment.

The reference numerals in the following claims do not in any way limitthe scope of the respective claims.

TABLE OF PARTS Support assembly 10 Mounting body 20 L-shaped bracket 21First arm 22 Bearing seat 23 Upper side 24 Underside 25 Attachment 30Threaded aperture 31 Nut 33 Second arm 34 Apertures 38 Base 40 Main body41 Ends 35/36 Flat bridging member 42 Top side 43 Bottom side 44 Legs45/46 Ends 47/48 Foot member 51/52 Apertures 54 Connector 60 ConnectingRod 61 Ends 62/63 Adjustment arrangement 70 Thread 71 Coupling 72Threaded aperture 73 Nut 75 Locking element 78 Nut 79 Structural member90 Main axis X-X Rod axis Y-Y

1. A support assembly for use with a building structure, the supportassembly having a main axis when in an assembled configuration, thesupport assembly comprising: a mounting body for receiving or carrying asection of the building structure; a base which in use is arranged to belocated on a supporting surface, the base comprising a main body havingopposed ends, each end having a leg extending therefrom; a connectoroperatively interconnecting the mounting body and the base when in theassembled configuration; and an adjustment arrangement operable to causerelative movement between the mounting body and the base towards or awayfrom one another in the direction of the main axis.
 2. The supportassembly according to claim 1, wherein the legs are inclined away fromone another.
 3. The support assembly according to claim 1, wherein thebase further includes a foot at an end of each leg remote from the mainbody.
 4. The support assembly according to claim 1, wherein said mainbody comprises a substantially flat bridging member.
 5. The supportassembly according to claim 1, wherein the connector comprises aconnecting rod, one end of the connecting rod being operativelyconnected to the mounting body, the connecting rod further beingoperatively connected to the base so as to be movable relative theretoin the direction of the main axis when in the assembled configuration.6. The support assembly according to claim 1, wherein said mounting bodycomprises a bracket having a section providing for a bearing seat. 7.The support assembly according to claim 6, wherein said bracketcomprises an L-shaped member having a first arm which provides for thebearing seat and a second arm.
 8. The support assembly according toclaim 7, wherein said bracket includes an attachment on the first armfor connecting the connector to the mounting body.
 9. The supportassembly according to claim 8, wherein the attachment comprises athreaded aperture.
 10. The support assembly according to claim 9,wherein the attachment comprises an element, secured to one side of thefirst arm, the threaded aperture being within said element.
 11. Thesupport assembly according to claim 5, wherein the adjustmentarrangement comprises a thread on at least part of the connecting rodand a coupling on the base, the coupling comprising a threaded aperturewhich is complementary to the thread on the connecting rod wherebyrelative rotation between the connecting rod and the coupling causesmovement between the coupling and the connecting rod in the direction ofthe main axis.
 12. The support assembly according to claim 1, whereinthe connector is releasably connectable to both the base and themounting body.
 13. A support assembly for use with a building structure,the support assembly having a main axis when in an assembledconfiguration, the support assembly comprising: a mounting body forreceiving or carrying a section of the building structure; a base whichin use is arranged to be located on a supporting surface; a connectoroperatively interconnecting the mounting body and the base when in theassembled configuration; and an adjustment arrangement operable to causerelative movement between the mounting body and the base towards or awayfrom one another in the direction of the main axis, and wherein theconnector is releasably connectible to both the base and the mountingbody.
 14. A method of installing a support assembly on a supportingsurface, the support assembly being in accordance with claim 1, themethod including the steps of locating the base on the supportingsurface and securing it thereto; and activating the adjustmentarrangement so that the mounting body is at a desired position above thesupporting surface.